Environment
FG Bemoans Loss To Floods
The Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia
has said that lives could be saved and losses minimised if flood alerts were
taken more seriously.
Mrs. Mailafia who stated this shortly after inspecting
flood-ravaged parts of Bauchi, Benue, Jigawa, Kano and Plateau States while
addressing flood victims recently expressed personal anguish and pain of
President Goodluck Jonathan at the suffering the flood has caused the victims.
She expressed Mr. President’s sadness for the loss of loved
ones, all their life savings, possessions and homelessness.
“The monumental losses suffered in many states and the
destruction of lives and property calls for sober reflection.
It calls for review of our strategies and commitments
towards mitigating the devastating effects of climate change” she said.
She said that incidents of recurring flash floods in various
parts of the country, particularly in the North hitherto noted for drought
under underscored the reality of climate change.
The Minister reiterated the need for citizens, particularly
residents of flood prone areas to heed the early warnings of the Ministry on
impending floods and to promptly evacuate so that lives were not avoidably
lost.
She further urged Nigerians not to hesitate in evacuating
their abodes when directed to do so by local authorities.
The Environment boss advised residents against the dumping
of refuse on drainages, gutters and the blockage of canals which aggravates
floods. She advised against building of houses on flood plains or the river
banks and streams, inspite of prohibitions put in place by the town planning
authorities.
She called for the stoppage of tree felling which
contributed to environmental degradation and appealed to people to embrace and
adopt the use of alternative sources of cooking energy such as gas stoves in
order to preserve the country’s forests reserve.
The Minister observed that tree felling was detrimental to
the federal government’s presidential initiative on Afforestation.
She said the aim of the programme was to stem the tide of
desertification and the consequent loss of arable land.
She called on the states that were yet to take advantage of
free seedlings available under the scheme to do so without delay.
The minister appealed to all Nigerians to take environment
issues more seriously and act individually or collectively to protect the
environment.
It would be recalled that the Minister of Environment is
heading a deligation constituted by the federal government last week to visit
flood affected states with a view to assessing the extent of flooding and
damage to take more remedial action.
Members of the committee include, the Minister of Water
Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe and the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund
Office, Dr. Mac John Nwaobiala.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
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